The crisis in Syria has quickly morphed into a U.S.-Russian confrontation. Russia's goal is to be seen as an equal of the United States, while Obama must tackle both domestic and international sentiment to dispel doubts about America’s preeminent global status.

Winning a stunning victory in the country’s six-way presidential race, Iran’s new leader Hasan Rouhani has vowed to integrate Tehran into the international community, bolstering hopes for better relations with the West. A skilled negotiator and a moderate, Rouhani’s election could be the best news in many years for the future of the whole region – for Iran, its economy, the nuclear standoff, as well as diplomatic relations with Israel.

The shrinking icecaps in the Arctic have opened up new opportunities for trade, shipping and natural resource exploration at the top of the world. While the Arctic Council, representing countries with territory above the Arctic Circle, has no meaningful decision-making power at present, its decision to granted six new countries observer status could be a precursor for greater importance in the future.